Red cell superoxide dismutase in patients with different liver diseases

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Supcroxidc dismutase (SODs, supcroxidc oxidoreductasc, E.C. 1.15.1.1.) activity has been estimated in red blood cells from patients suffering from liver cirrhosis and hcpatoccllular carcinoma. Erythrocytcs supcroxide dismutase activity from patients with liver cirrhosis was found to be significantly higher than normal, while its activity was not significantly raised in patients with hcpatoccllular carcinoma. These observations reflect overproduction flux of supcroxide radical (0 2) which leads to increased SOD activity. If the liver tissues reach the hcpatoccllular carcinoma stage subsequent damage of mitochondrial membranes, a lack of 0 2 production occurs, therefore a lack of mitochondrial enzymes, including SOD occurs. Accordingly, the assay of SOD can be used to follow-up malignant transformation of liver tissues.